Speciation and host-parasite relationships in the parasite genus Gyrodactylus (Monogenea, Platyhelminthes) infecting gobies of the genus Pomatoschistus (Gobiidae, Teleostei)
Huyse, T.; Audenaert, V.; Volckaert, F.A.M.J. (2003). Speciation and host-parasite relationships in the parasite genus Gyrodactylus (Monogenea, Platyhelminthes) infecting gobies of the genus Pomatoschistus (Gobiidae, Teleostei). Int. J. Parasitol. 33(14): 1679-1689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7519(03)00253-4
In: International journal for parasitology. Pergamon: Oxford. ISSN 0020-7519; e-ISSN 1879-0135, more
Using species-level phylogenies, the speciation mode of Gyrodactylus species infecting a single host genus was evaluated. EighteenGyrodactylus species were collected from gobies of the genus Pomatoschistus and sympatric fish species across the distribution range of thehosts. The V4 region of the ssrRNA and the internal transcribed spacers encompassing the 5.8S rRNA gene were sequenced; by includingpublished sequences a total of 30 species representing all subgenera were used in the data analyses. The molecular phylogeny did not supportthe morphological groupings into subgenera as based on the excretory system, suggesting that the genus needs systematic revisions.Paraphyly of the total Gyrodactylus fauna of the gobies indicates that at least two independent colonisation events were involved, giving riseto two separate groups, belonging to the subgenus Mesonephrotus and Paranephrotus, respectively. The most recent association probablyoriginated from a host switching event from Gyrodactylus arcuatus, which parasitises three-spined stickleback, onto Pomatoschistus gobies.These species are highly host-specific and form a monophyletic group, two possible ‘signatures’ of co-speciation. Host specificity was lowerin the second group. The colonising capacity of these species is illustrated by a host jump from gobiids to another fish order (Anguilliformes),supporting the hypothesis of a European origin of Gyrodactylus anguillae and its intercontinental introduction by the eel trade. Thus,allopatric speciation seems to be the dominant mode of speciation in this host-parasite system, with a possible case of sympatric speciation.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy
